After Words

This is a lovely small film. It was very satisfying. I woke up thinking about it. Marcia Gay Harden gives a GREAT performance. If you are her fan you need to see After Words just to see her.

She plays a curmudgeonly librarian who is depressed and lonely. And that is before she loses her job. Her life is isolated, sad, and pathetic in the huge city of L.A. After being laid off she takes a dream vacation to Costa Rica. In this tropical paradise the beauty of nature, and sincere friendship are healing.

There are three wonderful performances. The cinematography is lovely. Lots of nature shots, beautiful beaches, and jungles. Plenty of native culture, some Spanish, and just enough humor.

The story line is not trite. If you are a Marcia Gay Harden fan then you MUST see this film. It will be a lovely treat for you. The relationship she develops with her tour guide is not a cliché. It is a friendship which she desperately needs. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. The little girl is an adorable actress.

I love this movie. I laughed and cried. It deserves to be seen twice and I will recommend it to family and friends. This is a film I would see with my husband on a date, with girl friends, or with my mother.

There is a very small amount of sex - so you might not see it with your young child. But then, it is not really a film which would interest most children or young teens. This is a film for someone mature who loves stories set in nature, relationships, books, and the possibility of finding new purpose in life when you are past the half way mark. I love this movie. It is a gem.

A delightful film about a woman who runs away from her problems in Los Angeles, only to find real meaning n the tropical paradise of Costa Rica.

Yes, the script is somewhat predictable and there are some plot holes, but the film doesn't try to be anything that it's not.

Marcia Gay Harden is terrific, but the actor who plays Juan steals the show.

I watched it yesterday and find myself thinking about it today. What a great little film. After reading the other reviews I realize what a superb actress Marcia Gay Harden is. I often have a strong reaction when I see her in films and now I understand that it's her performance that causes the reaction. I had thought that it's her, but it's not her as a person, it's the characters she's portraying, such as Jane in this film, Lee Krasner in Pollock, and others. She was so convincing as a depressed, reclusive introvert and then, even though the plot was predictable, it was delicious to watch. Oscar Jaenada playing the male lead was perfect as a total opposite from Harden's character. And then, the scenery: gorgeous! Ending the film with a quote from Ann Frank was unexpected and moving. I'd suggest if you or someone you know is depressed, watch After Words. And even if you're not.

Stunning movie at their own pace. Marcia Gay Harden is awesome in this role; while Oscar Jaenada is a big surprise, and he will be soon a great actor. Costa Rica, its beauty, and its leitmotiv "pura vida", works as the third character of the story. A movie to think. To slow down our vertiginous lives. At first you may think "things are happening very slow", but then you get in the story, understanding what is all about. Very poetic, not just in the script but in the cinematography. I think it's a film that "book people" will love, and the rest will want to start reading. A film to think about life, loneliness and personal achievements.

A simple story beautifully told. My warmest congrats to all who created it (oh and... don't take this review to anticipate the end - A beautiful story well told can end in many ways).